What Does a New Administration Mean for Immigration?
Making History: A New Administration
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made history with their 2020 campaign. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is now the first woman, Black woman, Indian American, and Asian American Vice President-elect. Her story is felt by some as a personal victory. Harris is the daughter of two immigrants that sought out higher education in the United States. Her parents, Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Harris, may have found unusual success, but their immigration story is a familiar one. Vice President-elect Harris often shares the story of how her parents immigrated to the United States and met through their involvement in civil rights activism. They built their family here with love and hard work. Their daughter is now set to shape immigration policy and reform for generations to come.
Immigration Matters
In his most recent speech, President-elect Joe Biden called for an end to the hateful rhetoric and for unity amongst all Americans. So, what will the guiding principles of a Biden-Harris administration be as it relates to immigration? Let us look at a few of their proposed policies and discuss how those policies could impact non-citizens.
Asylum Seekers
The first immigration challenge of the Biden presidency could be how to address asylum seekers, particularly at the southern border. President-elect Biden has pledged to end the process that has forced tens of thousands of asylum seekers to live in camps. The camps should be ended with an orderly process. The administration is committed to providing a set of new procedures that will ensure human rights and avoid scenes of overwhelmed Border Patrol agents. According to the President-elect’s website, he will “direct the necessary resources to ensure asylum applications are processed fairly and efficiently while treating families and children with compassion and sensitivity”.
DACA
The Obama-Biden Administration created DACA in 2012 to protect “Dreamers,” undocumented non-citizens who were brought to the U.S. as children. President-elect Joe Biden has repeatedly said protecting “Dreamers” will be a priority. His administration will first need to determine if keeping the current program intact is the best approach legally or if a different approach would work better. Their proposed approach ensures “Dreamers” and their parents have a roadmap to citizenship through legislative immigration reform. Reform could positively impact millions of young individuals already residing in the United States.
Naturalization
Biden’s team hopes to restore faith in the citizenship process by removing roadblocks to naturalization. The Biden Administration proposes streamlining and improving “the naturalization process to make it more accessible to qualified green card holders”. First and foremost, the application backlog should be prioritized, and the process amended to prevent further backlog. Applications should be processed timely and fees should be reasonable. The administration also seeks to terminate existing orders that drastically limit the number of individuals permitted into the United States. America is commonly referred to as the melting pot of cultures; however, the current administration has tarnished our reputation. LaGrone Law believes with proper reform; this administration can begin rebuilding relationships and restore the American dream for many seeking a pathway to citizenship.
Immigration is essential to the strength of our country and the U.S. economy. According to Biden, “When individuals choose to come to the U.S., they bring their unique traditions and contributions, while driving strong economic growth.” President-elect Biden and his team have committed to significant legislative reform to ensure that the U.S. remains open and welcoming to people from every part of the world. To review the administration’s plan in its entirety, click here. Do you have immigration-related questions? Our team of skilled attorneys and professionals have years of experience and vast knowledge of Immigration matters. Call us to discuss your specific Immigration matters at (678) 250-5449 or schedule your consultation now.
Sources: “A Biden Immigration Policy: New Hope For Immigrants And Businesses” (Forbes) & “The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants” (Biden Harris)
